gah, i'm SO glad i logged onto LJ this morning. will be printing this and reading it on the way to school. looks awesome, can't wait to read your (no doubt very insightful) thoughts.
finally read this! i kinda love you for it because meta = awesome and gwen meta? YES PLZ.
She lost hope in her friends abilities, and hesitantly asked them not to forget her. (This last something to bear in mind later, as that fear is brought into the fold in season 2.)… Gwen clearly thought that she would be forgotten, that she was replaceable and that no one would care enough to come after her. yeah, this is definitely a repetitive fear. 204’s gwen’s scenes not only wonderfully unleashed her inner HQIC, but also her loneliness. for someone who seems to hold so much hope in others (“there is always hope”), she rarely allows that luxury for herself. gwen’s such a fascinating study in opposites for me: she’s both an idealist in many ways (e.g. with regards to arthur’s kingship) and disillusioned in so many others (e.g. wrt her and arthur’s relationship). you know the line that i think completely sums up her character? “perhaps, when you are king, things will be different.” ironically, its one about arthur but highlights both of these
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Along those lines, there was one scene in particular [in 207] that gave me a sense of victory. I had long held it as personal canon that Gwen was known and respected amongst her peers in the peasantry. And her scenes with (who I assume is) the apothecary canonised that.
lol, this. when that bit aired, i was like “all those guinevere leodegrance - woman of the people fics are now canon!”
She's a hero - they don't all need swords and glowing eyes.
this is why i love gwen. she’s not merlin, with his magic and the comfort of knowing the future and being assured of his grand destiny. she’s not arthur, with a crown on his head and a kingdom to come. she’s not morgana, the noblewoman with the ear of the king. she’s ordinary, and that makes her actions so extraordinary. she has everything to lose and neither the glowy eyes nor the ear of the king to save her - but she carries on fighting injustice anyway. how can you not love a character like that
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Guinevere character study & analysis
anonymous
February 2 2010, 10:33:33 UTC
First i have two say: WOW! i think it's impressive that you have so much information about Gwen. And how you go "in character". I have to say, thank you for doing this. I believe that i know much and much more about Guinevere because of you ( and no i am not exaggerating :P). and i have two agree with you. She's a Hero. Reading this reminds me why Guinevere is my favourite character of the whole show. Personally i think she is the most complex character of the series. The other's are sometimes a bit predictable. I seriously can't wait for her two grow more so that whe can't see the "Inner Queen" emerging. GWEN IS THE BEST!!!!!!
I have never hated Gwen in the series but her as she is written in season two was for me at least rather jarring and not of the woman I fell in love with in season one, and perhaps that is of my own personal tastes on who or what I want Gwen to be for not only the character but also of the future Queen she is supposed to become. To me her standing up to those of a higher rank speaks of her stubborn nature in some things and perhaps even a liking to push her luck where it is tested, but it is perhaps something that also hints at that she is willing to fight for what she believes in and risks everything herself to see it through.
It is an admirable trait and a strong one for a Queen but it is also one that needs to be taught some restraint, otherwise if she perhaps oversteps the mark with a noble who is not Arthur or indeed from another kingdom that does not allow to be talked back to and challenged, Gwen may find herself in more trouble than being the love of Arthur or indeed a Queen can protect her from.
To me her standing up to those of a higher rank speaks of her stubborn nature in some things and perhaps even a liking to push her luck where it is tested, but it is perhaps something that also hints at that she is willing to fight for what she believes in and risks everything herself to see it through. I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this, as I've stressed in the meta that I believe her willingness to stand up to those of higher status a sign of strength, not belligerence. I will add, though, that when faced with the likes of Arthur and Morgana, both of whom have strong personalities, Gwen would have to be willing to respectfully stand up to them when she feels it necessary. I've never felt that what she's said, or how she's said it, was done in a way that wasn't anything but persuasive, earnest and respectful of the fact that they are her "betters
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In saying that though, given that Lancelot is only in one episode per season so far, in your honest opinion how do you think he will be made to be a real rival for Arthur for Gwen if his screen time is so small ? Do you think it is because we will never see this part of the legend come true in this incarnation on the show, or perhaps it will happen a different way then we are lead to believe ? Personally I always felt her to have better chemistry with Lancelot than Arthur but that is of my own tastes and nothing against those who prefer her with Arthur, but since you obviously love her and her pairing with Arthur your perspective on Lancelot would be interesting to hear
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WRT Lancelot, my honest opinion is that the triangle storyline is pretty much done. Partially because this is a family show, partially because I believe they want to paint Arthur & Gwen as the portrait of morality and goodness, and particularly because these incarnations of both Guinevere and Lancelot are not in any way disloyal or prone to behaving in any ways immorally - which adultery would absolutely be seen as, regardless of era, the betrayal of Arthur and Camelot. I think they already succeeded in making Lancelot a "real rival" for Arthur, in that Gwen was fully willing to try and find a future with Lancelot instead of Arthur. It just didn't play out the way people are expecting from the more well-known versions of the legend
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I confess Gwen is one of my favourites - in fact she is equal favourite with Arthur and Merlin - and I have often seen her as the more complex of the characters. Not really through virtue of the writers or creators but through the way she is portrayed.
This was an interesting analysis and one I will expand on when I have more time (Unfortunately I don't due to RL and so on). I think some of your points regarding her development throughout S1 and S2 are interesting. I will admit that their are a few points you make that I read differently and/or disagree with but ultimately this was a good little essay explaining the complexity of Gwen's character.
I think that while the writers don't deserve much credit, they do deserve some. That said, much of the credit definitely goes to Angel, for fleshing out Gwen by virtue of giving her performance soul.
I look forward to your counterpoints, then, when you have the chance :)
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She lost hope in her friends abilities, and hesitantly asked them not to forget her. (This last something to bear in mind later, as that fear is brought into the fold in season 2.)… Gwen clearly thought that she would be forgotten, that she was replaceable and that no one would care enough to come after her. yeah, this is definitely a repetitive fear. 204’s gwen’s scenes not only wonderfully unleashed her inner HQIC, but also her loneliness. for someone who seems to hold so much hope in others (“there is always hope”), she rarely allows that luxury for herself. gwen’s such a fascinating study in opposites for me: she’s both an idealist in many ways (e.g. with regards to arthur’s kingship) and disillusioned in so many others (e.g. wrt her and arthur’s relationship). you know the line that i think completely sums up her character? “perhaps, when you are king, things will be different.” ironically, its one about arthur but highlights both of these ( ... )
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lol, this. when that bit aired, i was like “all those guinevere leodegrance - woman of the people fics are now canon!”
She's a hero - they don't all need swords and glowing eyes.
this is why i love gwen. she’s not merlin, with his magic and the comfort of knowing the future and being assured of his grand destiny. she’s not arthur, with a crown on his head and a kingdom to come. she’s not morgana, the noblewoman with the ear of the king. she’s ordinary, and that makes her actions so extraordinary. she has everything to lose and neither the glowy eyes nor the ear of the king to save her - but she carries on fighting injustice anyway. how can you not love a character like that ( ... )
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It is an admirable trait and a strong one for a Queen but it is also one that needs to be taught some restraint, otherwise if she perhaps oversteps the mark with a noble who is not Arthur or indeed from another kingdom that does not allow to be talked back to and challenged, Gwen may find herself in more trouble than being the love of Arthur or indeed a Queen can protect her from.
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To me her standing up to those of a higher rank speaks of her stubborn nature in some things and perhaps even a liking to push her luck where it is tested, but it is perhaps something that also hints at that she is willing to fight for what she believes in and risks everything herself to see it through. I think we'll have to agree to disagree on this, as I've stressed in the meta that I believe her willingness to stand up to those of higher status a sign of strength, not belligerence. I will add, though, that when faced with the likes of Arthur and Morgana, both of whom have strong personalities, Gwen would have to be willing to respectfully stand up to them when she feels it necessary. I've never felt that what she's said, or how she's said it, was done in a way that wasn't anything but persuasive, earnest and respectful of the fact that they are her "betters ( ... )
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This was an interesting analysis and one I will expand on when I have more time (Unfortunately I don't due to RL and so on). I think some of your points regarding her development throughout S1 and S2 are interesting. I will admit that their are a few points you make that I read differently and/or disagree with but ultimately this was a good little essay explaining the complexity of Gwen's character.
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I look forward to your counterpoints, then, when you have the chance :)
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